Electric switch.



C. J. KLEIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATlON FILED APR.18. 19:4.

Patented May 11, 1915.

nnrr" tl llATES PATEN T OFFICE.

GHARLES J. KLEIN, (YE MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOB. TO THE CUTLER-HAMMER MFG. CO, MIL W'AUKEE.

WISQONSIN, A CORPCRATION OF WISCONSIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

messes.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 11, 1915.

type normafi 1 position.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying dru g as embodied in a switch pai'tii'zularly 11 Hull in automobile electric starting systems where it is desired to moi'nentarily close a circuit of relatively high amperage and relatively low voltage.

in the drawing, Figure 1 is a sectional view of the switch; Fi g. is a sectional view of the same at right angles to Fig. 1; and, Fig. 3 is a top view thereof, in section.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, there shown an insulating base 1 having mounted thereon a pair of spaced contact-terminals 2 and 3. A. resilient bridging member i is provided to close circuit between said terminals, when actuated by an operating member 5. The member 4 preferably comprises a. resilient metal strip fixed at one end to the terminal 3 and having its opposite end extending toward, but biased out of contact with, the other terminal 2.

For afiording increased resiliency to the member i, the same is cent its fixed end.

The terminal 2 is Teheped and has its cross portion 7, constituting a contact, slightly countersunk in the base 1 and pro vided with'a rounded or beveled edge '8. The freeextremity of the member 4 carries a pair of rounded contact tips 9 adapted, upon depression, to slidably engage the rounded or beveled face of the contact. The terminal 3 is also T shaped and has its shank disposed in a slot 10 of the strio 4. Two upturned tongues 11 are provide on the base of the member 4 and are adapted to abut the crosshead of the terminal to hold the same. against rotation. In turn, the member 4: isj itself securely anchored looped, as at 6, adjaagainst turning on the base 1 by the tongues 11 which press the inner end of the member -1 against a shoulder 12 of the base.

A metallic cover 13 is provided to inclose the switch parts and carries an apertured neck l-lfor receiving and guiding the operating member This operating member has a button 15 at its outer end and a convex platedfi alfits inner end to bear upon the member -'l. 'ifi insulating plate 171's secured to the upper surface of the member 46nd constitutes a sent foetl-ie plate 16.; threhy' Qll (?illflll 'd ll\6l?lflillg the operating member from all current carrying parts.

The switch is normally maintained in ope-n circuit position by the resiliency of the member Actuation of the operating member depresses the resilient strip 4 until the contact tips 9 engage and wipe over the terminal contact. thus closing circuit between the terminals 2 and 3. Circuit is maintained closed, however. only so long as the operating member is held inwardly and upon release thereof the member 4 inherentl sets to restore the switch to open position.

It should be noted that the provision of the loop 6 in the bridging member gives a double resiliency to the freeend thereof. Thatis, when the operating member 5' is depressed, the contact tips 9 yield both downwardly and outwardly to effect a. very close electrical engagement with the contact 7. A further advantage attained bv the form of bridging member shown, is the maximum length thereof, and consequent maximum resiliency, between the terminals, due to the same being turned outwardlv from its fixed end, then looped upon itself and extended beyond the terminal 2 to engage the outer face thereof.

The switch illustrated is designed for attachment to the foot-board of an automobile and for this purpose is provided with a face plate 18 and screws 19 extending therethrough into cars 20 of the cover 13. The foot-board lies between the plate 13 and the top of the cover. The'insulating base, 1 is also secured to the cover 13 by screws 21 which take into the cars 20. In order to facilitate connection of lead wires, the terminals "2v and 3 are provided-with binding posts 22 at their exposed ends.

What I claim as new and desire to secure tacts clamped against angular displacement by Letters Patent is:

1.. In an electric switch, in combination, a base, a pair of spaced terminals extending therethrough and having binding posts without the same, one of said terminals being substantially T-shaped and having its top partially sunk in said base and constituting a contact portion, a resilient bridging member fixed to said base and biased to open circuit position, a contact tip on said bridging mem er to engage and wipe over said contact portion of said terminal, and a pushbutton-operating member for actuating said bridging member;

2. In an electric switch, in combination, a base, a contact thereon having a substantially flat extremity and a portion reflexed thereover, and securing means for said contact underlying said reflexed portion thereof and extending into said base, said means having an angular head portion and said contact extremity having an open slot to receive said means and having offset lugs to abut said head portion thereof-for locking the same against rotation and removal through said slot.

3. In a momentary contact switch for anitomobile electric starting systems, in combination, an insulating base, a pair of spaced terminals penetrating the same and having headed contacts on one face thereof and binding posts on the other face thereof, a flexible strip bridging member for said conat one end by one of the headed contacts and extending toward but biased out of engagement with the other, said member having a rounded contact tip at its free extremity to engage and wipe over said last mentioned contact, and a reciprocable operating member bearing upon said bridging member intermediate its ends.

4. A momentary contact switch for automobile electric starting systems, comprising, in combination, a circular, fiat insulating base, two spaced terminals penetrating said base, each comprising a bolt member having a headed contact on one face of the base and clamping nuts threaded thereon. on the other side of the base to anchor the terminal and to receive a line wire, a resilient bridging member for said contacts clamped against angular displacement beneath one of the same and backwardly looped above the other, said member having a contact tip at its free extremity to engage and wipe over said last mentioned contact, and a reciprocable operating member bearing upon said bridging member but insulated therefrom.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES KLEIN. Witnesses L. A. WATSON, ZELDA BAsT. 

